Pope Francis faces third week in hospital with steady hope
Pope Francis has been at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome for 18 days, after being admitted due to acute bronchitis, which developed into bilateral pneumonia. Despite the challenging situation, there is a sense of calm and hope for the pope's recovery within the Vatican, say the hierarchs.
A Vatican representative mentioned in a conversation with PAP that while the situation is indeed challenging, hope for the pope's recovery remains. "We are waiting and hoping, hoping despite everything," said the hierarch.
Third week of hospitalisation
"There is concern as this marks the third week of hospitalisation with no significant improvement," noted the Vatican representative.
Pope Francis, who experienced two respiratory crises during his first week in the hospital, is currently in stable condition.
On Monday morning, the Vatican reported that on the 18th day of the pope's stay at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, Francis "rested well all night."
The threat persists
In the Sunday evening medical bulletin, it was emphasised that Francis no longer required mechanical ventilation, which had been used after the respiratory crisis he suffered on Friday.
The pope continues with oxygen therapy and does not have a fever – it was noted.
"Given the complexity of the clinical picture, further days of clinical stability are necessary to resolve the prognosis," the statement announced.
This means that the pope has overcome the latest respiratory crisis, but the threat persists – this is how the Vatican sources interpreted the bulletin.
